This season, ASM Clermont Auvergne is back in color and all spectators at the Marcel-Michelin stadium can enjoy it, including the visually impaired. This is thanks to a system launched a few weeks ago by the Trait d'Union association. “It started a year ago with the signing of a partnership with the ASM to obtain around sixty places for people with disabilities,” explains Sandra Margerin, communications manager for the Auvergne association. “We first opened seats for disabled people in wheelchairs, then for the visually impaired and the blind, but we quickly realized that they were following the match via the radio comments with a delay of a few seconds. So it was unbearable for them: they had the fervor of the stadium without having yet read about the test. »
But since November, through an application and a new Wi-Fi band on which everyone can connect at the stadium to listen to instant live commentary from France Bleu, the problem has been resolved. “They connect to the wi-fi band and experience the match live with their headphones or on their phone. It's unique in France. In an ideal world, a system like this would be deployed across the country. This would be a considerable step forward for disability, which is not just a wheelchair. And we're going to see if we can do the same thing for football with Clermont football. »
Since the implementation of the system, the association has continued to receive reservation requests for the 13 dedicated places, in the part of the stands reserved for people with reduced mobility. This is evidenced by the interest in the reception of the English club Bristol, this Saturday January 18, as Sandra Margerin confirms: “The demand is growing because we had good visibility, because everyone is playing the game. We are arriving almost filling the blind part in every match, and this is the case for this Saturday's match. »
